"For a number of years, the IUCN Secretariat advised, informed and helped the IPBES process to run smoothly. In Jeju, IUCN was as a proactive provider of practical steps for IPBES," she adds.

"The overarching challenge was to raise awareness of this platform and to position it on the radar screen of the hundreds of conservationists that were gathered in Jeju. Several references to IPBES during the IUCN Members’ Assembly, two motions adopted and a number of Forum events made it all happen," outlines Ms Sendashonga.

"The second challenge was to bring new substance for IPBES to consider, and thus facilitate its early work: good connections with experts and governmental delegations resulted in new ideas that could inspire the IPBES process. Jeju was undoubtedly a milestone on the IPBES road," she concludes.